Keypoints:
- Seven Ghanaians detained in Tel Aviv
- Accra calls treatment ‘inhumane’
- Reciprocal action under review
GHANA has launched a diplomatic protest against Israel, accusing authorities at Ben Gurion International Airport of detaining and subjecting its citizens to ‘inhumane and traumatic treatment.’ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the statement on December 10 and said it was ‘appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel.’
The government described the incident as deliberate targeting, saying: ‘Ghanaian travellers have been deliberately targeted and subjected to inhumane and traumatic treatment.’ It added that Ghana ‘deplores the humiliating treatment of our citizens at the Ben Gurion International Airport.’
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reinforced the government’s position in a social media post, writing: ‘The Government of Ghana is appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities. We strongly protest. Ghana is considering immediate reciprocal action.’
Seven travellers detained without cause
According to the Ministry, seven Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel on December 7 were detained for more than five hours without clear justification. Four members of the group formed part of a parliamentary delegation attending the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv.
The statement said the detained group were released only after what it called ‘strenuous diplomatic intervention’ by Ghana’s embassy in Israel. The remaining three travellers were deported ‘on the next available flight’ and have since returned to Ghana.
Accra cites unfair targeting of citizens
The Ministry said the actions amount to unfair targeting and challenge six decades of friendly relations between the two countries. It noted: ‘Ghana and Israel have enjoyed cordial relations for more than six decades with considerable high volumes of unimpeded travel by citizens of both nations.’ It called the treatment ‘extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent with our friendly historical relations.’
It said the government expresses ‘strong reservations against the humiliating treatment of our citizens’ and warned that such incidents risk undermining longstanding cooperation in trade, technology and security.
Ghana questions Israeli justification
Ghana rejected the explanation provided by Israeli authorities. According to the Ministry, Israel claimed the detentions were linked to non-cooperation by Ghana’s embassy in deportation procedures. The Ministry called the justification ‘totally untenable’ and not supported by the facts.
It said Ghana’s mission in Tel Aviv ‘has been responsive and compliant with international law’, adding that the embassy has consistently supported citizens held in Israeli custody and has engaged regularly with Israeli officials.
Reciprocal action under review
The Ministry said officials from the Israeli Embassy in Accra will be summoned to formally express the government’s displeasure ‘in the strongest possible terms.’ It confirmed that reciprocal measures are under consideration but did not provide further details.
The government said it expects the situation to be resolved urgently and in a way that protects the dignity of Ghanaian travellers using Ben Gurion International Airport. It added that Ghana will continue monitoring the treatment of its nationals entering Israel, while maintaining diplomatic dialogue to prevent further incidents.
